# genial

/ˈdʒinjəɫ/ (US) · /dʒˈiːnɪəl/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/genial
Updated: 2026-05-30

## Definition

friendly and pleasant in a way that makes people feel comfortable. You use this to describe someone who is warm and easy to talk to.

For teachers: friendly, pleasant, and good-natured. Often used to describe a person's disposition or a social atmosphere.

## Examples

- The host was very genial and made everyone feel welcome.
- Despite the long hours and difficult tasks, the manager maintained a genial attitude that kept the team motivated.
- The retired professor was known for his genial nature, often spending his evenings in the library chatting with students about literature and philosophy.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.